Darlington Borough Council has granted planning permission for the go-ahead of Feethams Leisure, a £30m redevelopment project in the town centre.

The scheme, which will create around 500 new jobs and regenerate a 1.9 acre former bus station site, will be anchored by a nine-screen multiplex Vue cinema and include an 80-bed Premier Inn.

Also included are a number of bars, retail units and restaurants, with outlets of both Nandos and Prezzo included amongst the latter. Two further restaurant units are under offer to other - as yet unspecified - national brands.

Property development and investment group, Terrace Hill hopes to commence work during the middle of this year, with completion expected by Q3 2015.